Seal presses



April 19, 1955 c. PRIESMEYER SEAL PRESSES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1,1953 INVENTOR.

April 19, 1955 c. PRlE ISMEYER 2,706,448

SEAL PRESSES Filed June 1, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

6'1? Bunn e yer United States Patent "v ice SEAL PRESSE CharlesPriesmeyer, Park Ridge, 111., assignor to Meyer & Wenthe, Inc, Chicago,IlL, a corporation of Illinois Application June 1, 1953, Serial No.358,859

Claims. (Ql. 101-3) The present invention relates to paper embossingdevices and particularly to table model seal presses prevalengly used bycorporations, government otfices and notary pu lCS.

In oliices where a number of seal presses are kept, the problem ofadequate safe storage space and the expense of many presses becomeimportant considerations. Most corporate and government seals are of thetable type where the press can be set or affixed to a table top. Theframes of these presses are sufficiently bulky that space in the safe orthe cost of the frames will be a material economy measure now that suchcan be saved with the present invention.

Moreover, the expense of labor in servicing'seals that are in frequentuse is also an item to be carefully considered by the manufacturer ofthe pocket seal in a competitive market.

Very often the seals which are in continual use in oifices of thegovernment such as the clerk of the courts, recorders of deeds, etc.,are fastened permanently to table tops and also are of such size thatthey could not be conveniently stored in a safe place away from peoplewho might play with them, or people trying to make improper use thereofeven if they could be detached from the table top.

' One of the objects of the invention is to provide a table type sealwhich accomplishes economies along the lines indicated heretofore asbeing desirable, in which construction the die elements can be removedand stored safely each night in a small space, can be quickly serviced,and a number of seal dies used interchangeably in the same frame,whether it is fastened on top of a table or constitutes a portable sealframe.

The invention is further characterized --by an arrangement in which onlyone frame need be permanently mounted if desired and the seal elementscan be readily removed and re-inserted for interchangeable use includingidentical seals which are used so much that wear and the need forreplacement occurs often.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved seal press,and cooperating seal elements in which the seal dies are held incooperative relationship at all times, regardless of whether or not theyare in the press frame or removed from the press frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a seal press wherein thedie and die supporting elements can be moved quite easily with littleeffort from the frame when upon occasion such is desired, yet are heldagainst shifting or displacement while in the frame throughout allnormal use thereof.

The invention is also characterized by a novel relationship of parts,which is easily made, assembled, dismantled, operated, and servicedwithout the parts slipping, loosening, scoring, or damaging one anotherduring their assembly and use, or when they are stored.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a very light andcompact table seal which is inexpensive to manufacture and service andruggedly constructed for long and satisfactory operation.

These being among the objects of the invention, further objects andadvantages will become apparent from the drawing and the descriptionrelating thereto, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table top seal press showing thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of the deviceshown in Fig. 1. 1 I

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the position Otherwisethe side frames 2,706,448 Patented Apr. 19, 1955 of the elements whenthe seal press is in the other of its alternate positions.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the seal press shown in Figs. 1and 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the man ner in whichthe dies may be removed from the press.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the die and spring assembly removed from thepress.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modified form by which the spring and diesupporting elements are secured in predetermined alignment.

Fig. 9 is a section taken upon line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a side'elevational view showing another embodiment forholding the die and spring assembly in place in the frame.

Fig. 11 is a top plan View of a clip employed to hold the die elementstogether when desired for purposes of transportation or storage.

Fig. 12 is a section taken up on line 12-12 of the clip shown in Fig.11.

The invention is characterized by a unitary assembly of the upper'and'lower dies and their supporting elements which is readily installed andremoved from the press frame. It contemplates an interlock or latchingrelationship between the lower die and the cooperating elements on theframe so that downward pressure at the rear end of the unitary assemblyreadily releases the latch relationship for a snap out or quick removalof the unitary assembly from the throat of the press frame. In order toassist the removal of the unitary assembly once the latch relationshipis disengaged, the roller carried by the pivotally mounted handleremains in continuous contact with the element supporting the upper diemember, so that there is a rolling action present on the top die and itssupporting member so that the die is almost ejected from the press frameby the springiness of the unitary assembly once the latch is released.

More particularly the seal illustrated in the several views comprisestwo substantially identical side frames 10 held together in spacedrelationship by spacer rivets, one 11 at the back, another 12 at thelower front end, and another 13 at the upper front end, the last ofwhich also serves as a pivot pin for the handle shown generally at 14.

The bottom edges 15 of the side frames are straight and coplanar to reston top of a table (not shown), and the upper edges 16 are archedupwardly and forwardly for strength and decorative purposes. The sideframes are notched out at their front end to provide a throat 17, whoselower edge is provided with an outwardly facing shoulder 18, in front ofwhich the remainder of the throat edge is straight as at Zii, andpreferably parallel with the bottom edge 15 of the side frame. It isupon the straight edge portion 20 of the throat that the bottom face ofthe lower die holder 21 rests as positioned by the shoulder 18 when thelower die holder is located in its operative position.

The notching of the side frame provides an overhanging arm 22, which hasa slot 23 therein of the shape and contour best illustrated in Fig. 3and Fig. 5, same being elongated in a horizontal direction with thelower edge 24 thereof, notched as at 25, near its front end and inclinedrearwardly over the remaining portion so that a loose rivet 26 disposedin the slot will normally roll to the rear end of the slot 23 when freeto do so. 10 are perforated at suitable points to receive the spacerrivets 11, 12 and 13 in the places shown.

Referring now to the handle 14, same is struck from a sheet of heavymetal to the shape shown throughout the several views, in which a padshaped extremity 27 is provided at the free end for the comfort of apersons hand, and the remaining portion is stamped to a U- shaped formwith holes in the side as at 28 which journal on the rivet 13. A notch30 is provided to cooperate with the roller 26 when the notch 30coincides with the portion 25 of the slot 24 as when the handle 14 ismoved to its fully depressed position.

The sides 29 of the handle are riveted together by a rivet 31, whichcarries thereon a roller 32, having two roller surfaces 33 separated bya groove 34 as shown in Fig. 4. The handle as thus formed with theroller in place is mounted between the upper arms 22 of the side framesat the time that the rivet 13 is inserted and upset to hold the sideframe members together. Then as the handle 14 is depressed the rollerfollows a path indicated by the broken line are 35, Fig. 3, and rollsalong the supporting member for the upper die as subsequently described.The front edge and the side walls 29 of the handle 14 are coplanar as at36, and as best shown in Fig. 3 the roller 32 extends below the coplanaredges 36.

The unitary die assembly 40, is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and andcomprises the lower die member 21 stamped from heavy flat stock toprovide the inner end portion with parallel sides and terminating in adownwardly bent end portion 41 perforated as at 42. The front endthereof is rounded as at 43 to receive in supported relationship thelower die 44. Riveted to the rear end of the lower die holder as byrivets 45 is a substantially flat spring blade 46 whose front edge isrounded as at 47 to mate with the contour of the handle 14 at that pointand provide a pleasing appearance. Spaced from the front end of thespring 46, a round hole 48 is punched out having three smallcircumferentially spaced grooves 50 in the walls thereof. The hole 48 isprovided so as to receive in supporting relation 21 cylindrical stud 51,which is fashioned on the top of the upper die 52 to locate and hold thedie 52 in place. To do this the top of the seal in the upper die 52 isoriented for desired embossing position with repsect to the flat springblade 46. The stud 51 is then received in the hole 48 and the stud 51 isprick-punched opposite each one of the grooves 50 to upset the studstock into these grooves. This not only holds the die in correctorientation throughout the life of the seal but prevents it from evercoming loose.

In making the unitary assembly after the upper die 52 is oriented and inproper place, the rivets 45 are applied to secure the spring blade 46 inrigid location with respect to the lower die holder 21. The lower dieholder is placed upon a fiat surface, with the lower die 44 held inmating relationship with the upper die 52, and a bonding substance (notshown) is located on the upper face of the lower die holder 43 to adherethe lower die 44 in place when the lower die 44 is carried by the upperdie thereagainst under pressure. Once adhesion is accomplished, eitherchemically or under heat, the unitary die assembly 49 is ready for usewith the press frame already described. The dies will mate perfectlyeach time they are brought together.

In mounting the unitary die assembly on the press frame, the handle isbrought to the position shown in Fig. 3. The riveted end 41 isintroduced through the throat of the press frame and between the sidesthereof to the position shown in Fig. 3. The final movement in theinsertion of the unitary die assembly is one in which the spring blade46 rides on the roller 32 and as it does so the spring blade 46 isflexed to impose thereon sufiicient tension to urge the upper die member52 upwardly and carry with it the handle 27 when free to do so. Theinsertion is completed when the rounded front portion 43 of the lowerdie supporting member engages the shoulder 18.

Referring now to the several embodiments employed to hold or latch theunitary die assembly in place in its fully inserted position, referenceis made to Figs. 2, 3 and 10, in which are shown sheet metal stampings54, 55 and 56, having side portions 57 bent downwardly from the centralbody portion 58, and with a front end portion bent downwardly to providea front plate 60. The side portions are notched as at 61 to provideeither a square shoulder 62 or a rounded shoulder 63, that engages orlatches over the rivet 12 '(Fig. 3) or a square rivet 12:: (Fig. In allembodiments of this latch member an incline 64 is provided along therear edge of the side elements so that as insertion of the unitary dieassembly is made the lower die 44 is carried across the rivets 12 or 12auntil the recess portion 61 is reached, whereupon the lower die snapsdownwardly into place. These latch members are welded by well knowntechniques upon the bottom face of the lower die holder 21 in the exactposition desired as determined by templet so that the front face 60exactly fills the space between the side member 10 of the seal presswhen the unitary die assembly is in its operative position. nection itis pointed out that in the preferred embodiments the notch 61, and thelowest extremity thereof is no longer than is needed to hold the die insolid abutment with the rivet 12 under all operating conditions.

Then when it becomes desirable to remove the unitary die assembly, apersons thumb, as best shown in Fig. 5, or fore finger 65, is placedupon the rivets 45 and pressed downwardly. This levers the lower diesupporting element 21 against the frame at the shoulder 18, lifting thefront end thereof until the shoulder 62 or 63 is lifted high enough toclear the rivet 12 or 12a, whereupon the incline 64 is moved forward toengage on top of the rivet 12 before the thumb is released and theroller 32 provides a rolling action along the band spring 46. Betweenthe rolling action of the roller 32 and the incline 64 on the lowercatch, the tension upon the spring causes the unitary die assembly tomove outwardly, particularly if the handle 27 is slightly depressed toplace the roller 32 solely in contact with the band spring 46. It willbe noted that the cutaway portion 34 on the roller 32 serves to clearthe upper end of the stud 51 both in operation and during removal of theunitary die assembly from the press frame.

A modification is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 which emphasizes perfectalignment at all times between the upper and lower die supportingelements, wherein the spring 46 is notched out as at on both sides nearthe rear end thereof, and ears 72 on the sides of the lower diesupporting member 21a are swaged into the notches 70 and around thespring 46a. The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 saves material, whereas theembodiment shown in Fig. 8 saves in labor cost. Both performsatisfactorily and it is merely a question of production economies and aparticular plan as to which construction might be preferred.

For purposes of storing the dies in closed relation when not in use, aclip 75 is shown in Figs. 1 and 11, which is die stamped from a sheetmetal part to have vert1eally spaced fingers 76 and 77 that telescopeover the outside of the two die members when the two die members areclosed as shown in Fig. 1. Intermediate the fingers 76 and 77 the mainportion 78 of the clip has its upper and lower edges reversely bent asat 80 to provide a channel way 81 that receives a card therein whichidentifies the seal.

It will be noted that the upper finger 76, as shown in Fig. 4, need onlybe separated a distance equal to the width of the spring blade 46,whereas the finger 77 must be spaced a sufficient distance toaccommodate the overall width of the press frame, Whose width is greaterthan that of the spring blade. Also in Fig. 4 it will be noted that theheads 83 of the rivet 12 provide protuberances which serve a usefulpurpose as will now be described.

The spacing actually provided between the fingers 76 is more than enoughto clear the width of the plate spring 46, but telescopes snugly alongthe sides of the seal press when upon occasion the press is in use andthe clip removed so that the seal can be used. At such times the clip isslipped from the seal dies when the handle 14 is depressed, and theninserted below the lower die to telescope over the seal press frame insupported relationship, the lower finger 77 passing under the rivetheads 83 to hold the clip in upright position. Thereafter when uponoccasion it is desired to remove these partic ular dies from the pressframe the handle 14 is depressed .far enough for the clips to slip overthe dies, after which the handle 14 is released and the dies are free tobe removed by merely lifting them from their engagement with the rivet12.

The operation of the latch for the handle is believed to be clearlyshown in the drawings. However, as a matter of explanation, whenever itis desired to close the dies when not in use, the handle 14 is depresseduntil the notch 30 coincides with the offset 25 in the slot 23 and theroller 26 is brought forward into an inter-engaging relationship withthe notch 39 and offset 25, whereupon the handle 14 is released and theroller 26 holds the handle in its down position with the dies closed.Then when it is desired to release the handle 14 the handle 14 isdepressed again and the roller under the influence of gravity will rollout of its interlocking position to the position shown in Fig. 3,whereupon the handle 14 when released will spring to its uppermostposition under the effort of the spring 46.

In this con- With this arrangement of the roller and handle, the handleis automatically released at all times from the roller latch wheneverthe dies are withdrawn from the frame. There being no upward tensionexerted by the spring when it is absent, the roller is free to descendto its unlatched position. Thus, whenever the frame is empty, the handlecan be raised immediately for the insertion of the dies.

Having thus described the invention and several modifications thereof,it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art how the statedobjects and other advantages are present with the invention and howfurther and various modifications and changes can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of whichis commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a seal pressframe having spaced side frame elements notched at their front toprovide upper and lower arms, means for holding the arms in spacedrelation, a pair of dies, a spring member supporting at one end one ofthe dies as an assembly, a holder member supporting at one of its endsthe other die as an assembly, means for securing said members togetherat their other ends for maintaining the proper cooperation between thedies as they move into and out of their mating relationship at apredetermined plane, a handle pivoted to the upper arms including aroller spaced from the pivot and engaging one of said members throughoutits movement, said spring member urging both the separation of the diesand the raising of the handle, said handle driving said dies into saidmating relationship when actuated, and latch means for locating andholding the lower one of the two assemblies in a predetermined positionon said lower arms including an element carried by said lower arms andan element carried by said lower die member, one of said elements havinga shoulder engaged by the other element for relative movement betweenthe elements in a direction substantially perpendicular to said plane,and an inclined track adjacent said shoulder for relative movement in adirection substantially parallel to spaced from said shoulder forsupporting the lower die assembly on the lower arms in contactingrelationship, said latch means being released by displacing said otherends by movement thereof transversely to said plane about the last saidmeans when said handle is released to release the engagement at saidshoulder.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 including a gravity-operatedroller mounted on said upper arm in a slot therein for movement betweenupper and lower positions, said handle having a notch adapted to beengaged by said roller when said roller is raised to its upper positionand with the handle moved to its lower position against the force of thespring member, said spring member frictionally holding said roller insaid notch.

3. The combination called for in claim 1 in which said handlefrictionally engages said one of said members at the upper limit ofmovement of said member, said roller being in sole contact with said oneof said members throughout its movement for ejecting said die assembliesfrom the press frame by the springiness of said spring member once thelatch meansis released.

4. The combination called for in claim 1 in which said other element isa rivet means exposed at the front between the lower arms and forms apart of the means for holding the arms in spaced relationship.

5. The combination called for in claim 1 in which said means for holdingthe arms in spaced relation includes a plate flush with the front endsthereof and carried by said lower one of the two assemblies.

said plane, means References Cited in the file of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,162,883 Roovers Dec. 7, 1915 1,471,687 Eyman Oct. 23,1923 1,512,476 Meyer Oct. 21, 1924 1,605,869 Swartz Nov. 2, 19261,619,959 Sasseman Mar. 8, 1927 1,658,823 Willard Feb. 14, 19382,187,773 Eyman Jan. 23, 1940 2,203,644 Priesmeyer June 4. 1940

